Graduates’ work to feature in Portsmouth gallery art exhibition

Artwork created by two recent University graduates will be on display in an upcoming exhibition at Portsmouth’s premier art gallery.

Aspex Portsmouth has announced the return of the Platform Graduate Award exhibition this Autumn.

Featuring a talented cohort of recent graduates, this new exhibition will showcase some of the region's most exciting emerging artists as they kick start their artistic careers post-university.

This year’s award features exhibitions at five partner organisations across the South East and West, including Aspex Portsmouth. One artist from each regional partner will be nominated for The Platform Graduate Award, in which an outstanding graduate will receive a £2,000 bursary and 12 months of mentoring support. The winner will be announced this December 2023.

Aspex Portsmouth’s artists for 2023 include two former University of Portsmouth students: Karl Bailey and Mia Blake.

Karl, who is currently studying an MA in Photography at the University, said: “I’m showing my long term project ‘A Stones Throw’ which explores the class, culture and identity in Portsmouth and the impact of 13 years of government austerity. Aspex is the city's leading gallery space with a rich history of exhibiting artists. I am especially excited to be working with curator Ricardo Reverón Blanco in his first ever Platform show.”

You can see more of Karl’s work on his website and Instagram.

Mia, who has continued at Portsmouth to study MA Photography, said: “The work that I will be displaying is my project ‘Visibilis’. It seeks to explore the complex, intangible connections between thought and feeling – what is visible and what remains unseen. I am particularly excited about taking part in the Platform event as this will be my first exhibition outside of the University organisation and I feel very honoured to even be nominated for the award. I have really enjoyed completing my BA at the University - the encouragement that we have received from all of our lecturers has really fuelled our creativity and passion for photography.”

You can see more of Mia’s work on her website and Instagram.

The exhibition will run from 13 October to 23 December, with the gallery opening its doors for a preview evening of The Platform Graduate Award 2023 ahead of its official opening.